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Julie Riddle with Karen and Casey Moore

The fund for innovative cancer research put on a Willy Wonka-themed fundraiser Sept. 28.

Michael's On East was converted into a candy-coated wonderland for The Benjamin Gilkey Fund for Innovative Pediatric Cancer Research's fundraiser on Sept. 28.

The nonprofit's mission is to raise funds for clinical trials at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in memory of Benjamin Gilkey, who died from leukemia when he was nine in 2017.

To meet that goal, the Gilkey family and friends spent two days transforming the Michael's On East ballroom into a Wonka-esque chocolate factory complete with candy-themed decor, creative treats and fun props for its Golden Ticket fundraiser. There were even children dressed as Oompa Loompa's put on a performance later in the night. Guests mingled and had dinner in their most colorful clothing before participating in a live auction.

Harry Sayer is the Black Tie Reporter for the Observer. He is a graduate of the University of Central Florida and previously worked the Black Tie beat for the Observer newspaper in Winter Park and Maitland. You can catch him at one of Sarasota's fundraisers and shindigs.